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“I welcome the stand that Mr Piebalgs took at the Forum” said Mr Hillis, “he, like me, believes that real headway on climate change issues can be primarily made by reducing the demand for energy through energy efficiency measures.”

The East Londonderry MLA continued, “there are two main issues here: energy generation and energy consumption. Energy generation is a major issue because it usually involves both the consumption of unsustainable fossil fuel resources and the emission of carbon dioxide. The only exceptions are renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal and biomass.

“Clearly the future of energy production in the UK will have to take increasing advantage of renewable energy sources as a means to reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses. However, this should not be at all costs.

“Take for example the proposed development of a wind farm on the Tunes Plateau off the north coast of Northern Ireland. Following feasibility studies it was decided that the most suitable location for an offshore wind farm in Ulster was an area not far off the coast of our most popular holiday resort – Portrush and within sight of Northern Ireland’s only world heritage site, the Giants Causeway. The proposal places the farm in full view, right in the centre of arguably the UK’s most scenic landscape.

“We must ask ourselves, is this a viable long-term answer to the problem of climate change or is simply a short-term solution paying lip service to the idea of renewable energy at a hugely disproportionate cost to the tourist industry?

“This brings me onto the other main issue: energy consumption.

“If we were to reduce the need to generate energy then that would go a huge way towards reducing emissions of greenhouse gasses from burning fossil fuels. It would also allow us to continue to develop the relatively new technologies of renewable energy while not taking radical, potentially damaging steps.

“Everyone can do their bit to reduce waste and minimise energy consumption, and the products we buy can have a bigger impact than perhaps, as individuals, we give credit for.

“The Tourism Industry in the European Union is currently growing rapidly due to the effects of globalisation, demographic change and the increasing availability of cheaper air transport.

“With this in mind I very much welcome the Commission’s efforts to harness this rapid growth and co-ordinate efforts between countries to the benefit of everyone” said the East Londonderry MLA.

“In 2005 there were an estimated 1,928,000 visitors to Northern Ireland which provided a revenue to our economy of £346 million. This represents an increase in revenue of 11% on 2004.

“In terms of where our visitors were coming from, there was an increase of 20% coming from within Europe.

The MLA said: “Water Service is consulting on rationalisation proposals to close seven local offices and depots in a bid to save £1.2 million over the next five years.

“While the Service claims that no jobs will be lost, 75 people will face relocation which will not be acceptable to some. The rights of these employees must be protected.

”The proposed depots for closure by this summer include Limavady, Ballycastle and Ballymoney which means there are few choices for transferring to nearby work locations for those affected by the moves.

“While I welcome efficiency measures, including a rationalisation of work centres, to streamline the service and reduce costs, it must not disadvantage staff who will be asked to relocate.”

Mr. Hillis also expressed the hope that customers would not be inconvenienced by the changes.

The recommendation includes eight key competencies which the Commission believed should be instilled into young people throughout Europe from an early age.

In a statement, the East Londonderry MLA said: “It is important that countries across the EU encourage their young people to develop skills such as taking initiatives, being responsible, accepting risk and achieving one’s own objectives. If the European Union is to sustain its economic model it needs more economic growth, more new firms, more entrepreneurial ventures and more high growth SMEs.

“Education is positively linked with higher entrepreneurial activity. For example, some evidence shows that around 20% of participants in mini-company activities in secondary school go on to create their own company after their studies.

“There are already examples from several countries in the EU which include entrepreneurship in education. For example the ‘Young Inventors Competition’ targets children from 6-16 and encourages them to be creative with ideas. In Luxembourg they have a programme aimed at 11 to 12 year olds which is devoted to children learning to exploit a simple business idea.

“Those are just a few examples. Throughout the education system, from primary to university, there are programmes to encourage entrepreneurship.